For some time, Maidstone was the only service area on the M20. The service area was first planned in 1971, slightly further up the M20 at Honeyhills Woods (also called Detling). It was expected to go to tender in 1974, and to open in 1977 after the Landscape Advisory Committee dropped their objections.

The actual services, built near Hollingbourne, didn't open until 1997 following numerous planning difficulties, on top of questions over where the next services would be. The entrance to the services crosses the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, which was constructed around the same time.